Bhubaneswar: More than 400 members of the Odia community gathered in Sydney for Phula Baula Beni 7, ORIOZ’s biennial celebration aimed at preserving and promoting Odia language, culture and heritage among future generations.Launched in 2011, the event is conducted entirely in Odia, allowing children and young Australians to experience the language through music, dance, drama and storytelling.Julia Finn, MP for Granville, inaugurated the programme with councillors Sameer Pandey and Immanuel Selvaraj and ORIOZ president Tapas Senapati.ORIOZ NSW state lead Anjali Patra welcomed the guests, while cultural lead Kamalzwita Pattanaik coordinated and hosted the programme. The event began with a Jagannath bhajan, followed by Odia songs, traditional dances and a drama. Children as young as four performed in Odia, including presentations of ‘Itikili Mitikili Phutigala Kanicha’, ‘E Phula Kaha Thare’ and ‘Mo Agare Achhi Jaga, Mo Pachhare Achhi Jaga’. “The songs I performed on had a very nice vibe and the dance was high energy,” said Tirthya Sahoo (12).Odissi guru Debashree Das also presented a classical dance performance. Finn, who attended in a traditional Indian sari, praised ORIOZ and the wider Odia community for promoting their language and heritage while contributing to Australia’s multicultural society. She also commended the children’s performances and the younger generation’s engagement with its cultural roots.Patra said the programme gave children a connection to their language, roots and identity. Senapati said children performing in Odia on an Australian stage were preserving their heritage while adding Odia culture to Australia’s multicultural story. “It was amazing to engage in and learn about Odia culture. I like dancing with my friends and feel what it is like being an Odia living in Sydney,” said Saanvi Pattanaik (12).“Living far from Odisha, I felt very connected to my culture and language,” said Brinda Senapati (also 12). The children practised for over eight weekends for the dance and song. “Dancing helps us express ourselves and exhibit our dancing skills,” said Ahana Senapati (10). Two high school students, Muskan Lenka and Trisha Aarya, choreographed a dance for 5- to 10-year-old children.The seventh edition brought together newly arrived families, Australian-born children and older members of the community.
